Cold chain logistics is evolving, driven by rising demand for pharma, fresh produce and temperature-sensitive goods. Despite challenges in last-mile connectivity and temperature control, India’s cold chain is poised to play a crucial role in food security, healthcare delivery and global supply chains.
CT Bureau
Cold chain logistics is not about moving goods from the point of origin to its destination, but about preserving life, trust and well-being. Behind every refrigerated truck or temperature-controlled container lies a story; vaccines reaching a clinic or fresh vegetables and fruits arriving at a store.
There is no scope of compromise when it comes to cold chain supply chain operations, even a slight difference in temperature or degrees can risk the life of millions. Therefore, ensuring high-level cold
chain standards and supply chain robustness and resilience is essential.
The stakeholders involved in cold chain transportation—drivers, technicians, custodians or planners—must be well-trained, skilled and should be aware of the specifications of the products they carry. In many ways, cold chain logistics is the silent heartbeat of health and hope.
That said, be it grapes from Italy, jackfruit from Sri Lanka, kiwis from China, mangoes from India or pharma, vaccines from across the world, credits to the robust and resilient supply chains that we receive should be in their best state.
Packaging
Packaging is crucial for cold chain logistics as it safeguards temperature-sensitive products during transit. From insulated boxes and gel packs to advanced phase change materials, the specialised packaging ensures products, such as vaccines, biologics and fresh food remain within strict temperature ranges. It acts as a protective barrier against external heat and poor handling, preserving quality from origin to destination. In a world dependent on supply chains, cold chain packaging plays a vital role in protecting product integrity and an individual’s health. Cold chain firms lays emphasis on packaging. Optimal use of specialised boxes, pallets, containers, gel packs, thermal blankets, dry ice, among others, is vital. Perishables must be packed carefully to endure 72 hours of transit.
Airport Handling
Another critical point is proper handling at the terminals, as it is a vital link in maintaining temperature integrity. Whether it is pharma or perishables, these goods require swift, precise handling in controlled environments to prevent exposure to heat or delays. Specialised zones, pre-cooled storage and trained staff are a must to ensure smooth transfers between transport modes—transfer from reefer vehicle to the storage facility and to final loading onto the aircraft. Cold chain products must be in set temperature zones, even a few minutes outside the cold chain can compromise the products quality, thereby affecting relationships, businesses, time and cost and may be, even one’s life.
Aircraft loading, offloading
Loading and offloading cold chain products onto aircraft is a time-sensitive and precision-driven process. Temperature-sensitive goods, such as vaccines, life science products and perishables must be transferred quickly between temperature-controlled storage and the aircraft to minimise exposure to ambient conditions. E quipment, such as refrigerated dollies, thermal covers and pre-cooled containers are used to protect the cargo’s integrity. Trained ground crew work 24×7, ensuring each movement is efficient and executed as even brief lapses in handling can lead to product damage or loss.
Resilient supply chain
Maintaining cold chain supply chain integrity and efficiency requires a blend of technology, coordination and vigilance. Every step—from storage, packaging, transport and final delivery—must uphold temperature controls to protect product quality. Real-time monitoring, data logging and trained personnel are essential to detect and respond to
any deviations.
Efficiency comes from minimising handovers, reducing transit times and ensuring all stakeholders are aligned through clear communication. When done right, it preserves safety of sensitive goods and builds trust across the entire supply chain.
Investments
Investments in cold chain technology have risen in the past few years, driven by government programmes, private funding and growth in perishable and pharma exports and domestic movement. End-to-end visibility and supply chain transparency is vital in maintaining supply chain integrity. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana and Integrated Cold Chain Infrastructure Scheme alone have financed `6,000 crore in cold storage and refrigerated transport projects, creating millions of tonnes in capacity.
On the technology front, adoption of IoT sensors, cloud-based monitoring, AI-powered analytics and blockchain is becoming mainstream, helping shippers maintain temperature control, optimise routes and track shipments in real-time. Investments in solar-powered cold storage, energy-efficient refrigeration and electric reefer trucks reflect a push toward sustainability.
Overall, India’s cold chain logistics outlook is bright, thanks to the government’s push and PPP funding. Through initiatives, such as PMGS, the National Logistics Policy and the Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme, the government has granted infra status to cold storage and warehousing, unlocking access to credit and fostering capital inflows. Public-priate partnerships are at the heart of this transformation; schemes such as National Centre for Cold-chain Development operate in PPP mode, guiding infra development, standards and digital integration.
Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLPs) are being developed under Public-Private Partnership mode to integrate cold storage into the transport network. States are joining the initiative. For instance, UP offers up to 50 per cent subsidies for frozen-storage infrastructure, incentivising private investment. As a result, India’s cold chain market is on track to double from 2 lakh crore this year to roughly 5 lakh crore by 2030-2032, propelled by improved infrastructure, streamlined financing and collaborative ventures between the public and private sectors.
CARGOTALK discusses with experts the pain points despite strong public and private push.
Shortage of skilled labour key challenge
Prakash Singh, COO, Jeena and Company
Inadequately equipped cold storage facilities, lack of skilled labour, relatively slower digital adoption, lack of integrated supply chains and last-mile cold chain infra are some of the key challenges. We have invested in real-time monitoring, GPS-enabled data recorders and validated packaging solutions to guarantee product integrity. We manage temperature through passive and active temperature-controlled packaging systems with real-time shipment/temperature monitoring. This approach ensures environmental control, quick response to excursions and preservation of product quality and safety across the supply chain.”
Contingency plans for unexpected events must
Vipin Vohra, Chairman, Continental Carriers
Pharma and perishable multimodal transport in India face challenges, such as inadequate cold chain infrastructure, handling delays and varied compliance standards across modes. We mitigate temperature excursions through real-time tracking, validated packaging and strict SOPs. Our temperature-controlled vehicles, reefer facilities and AFS infra ensure consistent conditions across the supply chain. Reliable last-mile delivery through GPS-enabled and temperature-controlled vehicles are supported by trained personnel. Round-the-clock monitoring and contingency protocols help maintain product integrity.”
Packaging critical for perishables, pharma
Sunil Kohli, Managing Director, Rahat Cargo
The perishable & pharma cold chain logistics by air warrants caution and care right from stage one i.e. packaging. Packing strategies include specialised boxes, materials, use of gel packs, thermal blankets and dry ice. Perishables should be packed carefully to endure at least 72 hours of transit time. Perishables should be stored for a minimum period and must be forwarded on the first available flight and to the destination without involving a transfer point. The airports need to be equipped with cooling centres to store the goods at required temperatures before loading.”
Outages affect products during transit, storage
Aldrick Dsouza, Head, Operations, WFS
For pharma, strict temperature norms issued by global trade bodies are hard to maintain across modes. Poor cold chain infra, especially in tier II and III cities or during shifting from air cargo to road freight is another challenge. Power outages is a common feature in tier II and III cities, affecting the products during transit or warehouse storage. For perishables, inconsistent cooling and standards maintained for fruits, vegetables, dairy, and seafood, damage them quickly. High spoilage rates rise due to delays or poor packaging or exposure to atmosphereduring loading/unloading.”
Quality storage, cold chain solutions vital
Kartik Jalan, Founder & CEO, Indicold
Every shipment deserves full attention. Many of the brands we move are ones that my son enjoys. We are proud to play our part in ensuring that nutritious food and safe healthcare reach homes the way they are meant to. We are passionate about powering cold chain with excellence. The firm specialises in providing cold storage and logistics solutions so that ensure pharma and perishables stay safe and fresh. The cutting-edge facilities and expertise lay the foundation for supply chains, enabling quick commerce partners to deliver with confidence using temperature-controlled bags and PCMs.”
